The Best of Delaware 2009

From crab cakes and cheesesteaks to prime rib and clam bakes, little Delaware is packed with great places to eat and terrific places to shop. Here’s the cream of the crop.

by Matt Amis, Maria Hess, Drew Ostroski, a host of guest critics (click on page 52 to meet them) and, of course, you

(page 9 of 164)

Best Breakfast Place

Readers, upstate: Kozy Korner (906 N. Union St., Wilmington, 658-0812)
Readers, downstate: The Crystal (620 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-1088)
Critics, Upstate: Monster breakfasts at Lucky’s Coffee Shop and Restaurant have been jam-packed since the place opened, and favorites such as Belgian waffles, fluffy omelets and everything else are available all day. Another handy use for Lucky’s breakfast: motivation. “We tell the kids we’re going to Lucky’s for breakfast and all are up, dressed and ready to go in an instant,” Karibjanian says. “Quite an accomplishment when you consider they are 20, 18 and 15.” (4003 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 477-0240)
Critics, downstate: Ocean View Family Restaurant is famous for hearty omelets stuffed with cheeses, veggies and any breakfast meat you can dream of. And since it’s at the beach, the seafood omelet, made with shrimp, crab meat and Old Bay, is very necessary. “We work late at night, so we don’t get out much for breakfast, but we do during the fall, and we like to go to Ocean View Family Restaurant for a home-cooked meal,” Rankin says. (42 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, 539-4864)